HL Deb 24 January 2000 vol 608 cc177-8WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What would be the cost to the social security budget of failure to uprate the minimum wage in line with inflation. [HL539]

Baroness Hollis of Heigham

It is estimated that the cost to the social security budget of failing to uprate the main, over-21, rate of the minimum wage in line with inflation is £10 million at 2000–01 prices.

Notes:

1.Estimates based on 1996–97 Family Resources Survey data, uprated to 2000–01 prices and benefit rates.

2.Estimates rounded to the nearest £5 million.